END-TIME CHURCH / PLURALISM

 

What was going on on the Hill that will have an effect on Christianity

We hope you are all praying to keep God on our side especially at the White House. Fear, anger and hatred are an open door to Satan. We are probably entering the most dangerous times in our history. This is a great opportunity for shaping the population. It is believed by the leaders of our country that the public wishes action now. The pole shows 86% of the U.S. citizens want war.

A Resolution was passed in the House of Congress that we are in a state of war which moved power to make decisions solely to President Bush. We seem to have moved into a new era. It was quite awesome to watch the Senate and House of Representatives to come to an unprecedented unanimous unity raising President

Bush to an even more powerful height. They consider him to have the responsibility to fight for freedom world-wide.
Concepts that came up between 9.11.01 - 9.14.01 during White House meetings:

1) "We'll rise like a sphinx from the ashes."
2) Said by a Senator: "E.Pluribus Unum" means Out Of Many, One! [Out of many nations, one world, or the New World Order in its matured state.Nations are coming together world-wide to fight this enemy who just mortally
wounded America. Most nations owe the U.S. because it has fought their battles for many years.
3) Said by a Senator in an angry tone: "Extremist Islams? There are extremist Christians!" (C-SPAN 9.12.01 world-wide airing)
4) "Backlash due to globalization. [The World Trade Center represents global trade]."
5) "We are being punished for not taking care of this problem of terrorism. We are assigned to eradicate terrorism. This is the first step to confront tyranny and terrorism."
6) Only one tower was insured. Insurance carriers are heavy investors in the Stockmarket.
7) Congressional Prayer 9.14.01: Focus was on "being one" where all can practice their faith.
8) "There will be a different America. Freedom for the world is our purpose."
9) "Mother America.."
10) President Bush said that we are being tested by the world to see if we have what it takes to lead the world.
11) "Our purpose is to preserve freedom around the world. We took out the Nazis, etc., etc., etc.. "
12) "Tears of pride.. "
13) "We shall overcome."
14) "I wish to express pride in the Congress which put differences aside today and we have unified our government."
15) A caller: "There is so much support from the world. I'm proud of what the President stands for."
16) A Harvard University person stated that Osama Bin Ladin is the prime suspect and the reason we have not been successful in infiltrating his groups is that it is against the law to use human rights violators. Human rights
violators are who need to be hired for such infiltration. Former President Bush, Sr. stated that your hands are tied in the CIA. They operated under the "Rule Of Law" as an example to the rest of the world.
17) A discussion of the hatred that exists now against the perpetrators amongst members of Congress.
18) Senator Biden: "Mr. President, we authorize you to take action. We give you all authority without retaining rights as Senators. The President has our commitment to support him. It is the beginning of the end of terrorism. We are united."

President Bush came out telling us that he is being tested by the nations. We believe every born again believer is asked to choose between the American Spirit and our God. If you have noticed, we are asked to pray with Rabbi's, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Ecumenist Dr. Billy Graham, etc.. in unity to a god who is foreign to us. Allah is not our God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

The security of practicing our faith is under major attack due to the 13-day old terrorists attack. This condensed report of the rally in New York at the Yankee Stadium will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt why that is. The Interfaith movement that existed for centuries behind closed doors, has now come out of the closet just like the feminist movement, the homosexuals, abortionists, cell stem engineering and now Interfaith.

Today's 'Prayer for America' was the second prayer meeting since the day and the four plane crashes.The first one was in Washington D.C.. President Bush asked for everyone to attend church. The whole White House staff went to the Episcopalian National Cathedral. A female pastor welcomed everyone with a few sentences. 'A Day of Remembrance' they called it. What it brought to our minds was a meeting we attended at the World Council of Churches where a Muslim read from the Qur'an in Arabic and English, followed by a Jewish Rabbi, Catholic Cardinal, United Methodist female preacher and Dr. Billy Graham in today's case. They all prayed to the god of Mohammed and Abraham.. in the same breath for protection.

Rev. Franklin Graham of the Good Samaritan's Purse was interviewed by NBC's Tom Brokaw 9.14.2001 on MSNBC News. Franklin testified of Jesus's hope and that he died for our sins on the cross. Next he talked about all the heroes, that we have lifted up so many of the Hollywood heroes and music heroes when these are the real heroes: the firemen, the policemen... He was nervous and had a few slips of the tongue, he wanted us as a nation to put our trust and faith in God.

Tom Brokaw interrupted and said to Franklin, "but won't it be important to extend the ecumenical spirit that existed today in the National Cathedral, your father speaking, a Methodist minister from Houston, a rabbi, Iman from the
Islamic faith, as well as the dean at the National Cathedral and of course the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C.?" Franklin answered, that it's very important that all the faiths, all the denominations are coming together, cooperating together, working together is a wonderful testimony to the SPIRIT OF AMERICA, and the dedication of the American people."

The "Spirit of America" is whom the two Reverend Grahams serve when they are supposed to represent Christianity. The die is cast as of September 11, 2001, the agenda was laid before the American people to accept or reject. Some ministries believe we are at the threshold of WWIII. Nations are being called together to fight the Jihad which
affects every nation in some form or another. We are to give Caesar what is Caesar's but we can't offend the God of Abraham by praying to Allah. That is what ecumenism forces us to do to attain the much desired unity by the White
House and the American Spirit.

The second event was a rally, 13 days after the crashes, at the Yankee Stadium in New York Following is a condensed report of the event, 'Prayer for America', conducted for all religions and hosted by Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah stated: We come here as one, stand as thousands.. They came to kill Americans. Americans refuse to be shattered Hope lives, prayer lives, love lives. We must find meaning to our lives. We shall not be moved... There is strength in numbers.. This event has drawn us together.. A new spirit of beauty, one heart, one voice and one America.

A military uniformed individual addressed the fact that the flag is 225 years old and that we can get strength from the flag... Our flag is much more than a living symbol of the AMERICAN SPIRIT to lead us to victory in the future.. Addressing the enemy, "you picked the wrong city, you picked the wrong country."

Roman Catholic Cardinal Edward Egan addressed the crowd with the following words: "..God, your virtuous people, your holy people all across the land.., yes Lord, your holy people."

A Rabbi: "Heroism bring ground zero into the heaven. We of different faiths and belief.. are one human family.. to find peace.

Another blew a Shofar "in pain and anguish."

Rabbi Arthur Schneier in a strong sure voice stated that America in mourning magnify, sanctify Your name, guard and shield America from barbarism and terrorists evil. Heal and rebuild.. President George Bush heeded the Clarian Call to battle the terrorist here and abroad. To unify the nation.. be strong, fear not, nor be afraid of them. You Oh Lord will not forsake us...

Rabbi Alvin Kass stated: The 'AMERICAN SPIRIT' " survivors should continue to live justice, equity, democracy and rights. It's a government for the people by the people and will not perish from this earth..

Rabbi Marc Gellman: "One person died 6,000 times, mass murder.. 6 million died.. scores of real horror.. not a number, that person was our father.., our sister.., our brother.., our son.., our daughter.. 6,000 worlds were killed.. Bundled together we are unbreakable and shall overcome forces of hatred.. The twine that bundles is community under the God of the Abrahamic faith bundled up in God's love.

Rabbi Joy Levitt: 23rd Psalm. Placido Domingo sang 'Ave Maria'.

Rudolph Giuliani took us back to 1766 when St. Paul's Chapel was built and that the chapel had remained in tact. He spoke of George Washington, who prayed in the chapel in 1789 on his knees. On the wall of the chapel is the great seal of the of the United States, the majestic eagle [holding] a cluster of [13] arrows a forewarning of our determination of defending our liberty [13 berries on the branch in the Eagle's right talon, and a motto of 13 letters. The crest has a constellation of 13 stars. For the reverse of the seal, the motto at the top also consists of 13 letters. The date on the foundation of the pyramid is 1776 in Roman Numerals. There are 13 stripes on the crest, and 13 courses on the pyramid. The motto with the Latin words Novus Ordo Seclorum means A NEW ORDER OF THE AGES IS BORN.] E. Pluribus Unum means OUT OF MANY ONE. Rudi continued: "The chapel stood directly under the Towers and when they fell St. Paul's Chapel still stands without a broken windows.. It is standing defiant and serene.. We unite under the banner of E. Pluribus Unum and we are one with the World Trade Center now.. A City of One.. We have liberated the world from Nazism..

A Spanish Reading out of the New Testament from the Incarnation Catholic Church..

Geo Reece a city fireman quoted the Gospel ".. for your sheep to be slaughtered .. Him who has loved us."

Bishop of Brooklyn, Rev. Thomas Daily spoke of hope which is in the resurrection of Jesus.. Hope energizes us! Hope transforms, fear is our greatest enemy, be not afraid. "I am with you always."

Inberjit Singh in a foreign language at first from Sikh Temple prayed in the name of our God, "... the people who did this horrible act to America is strong in diversity.. We will not be bowed."

Next a song to Allah in Arabic. Iman Muhammad Shamsi Ali spoke. A female Muslim said that we should learn from one another and have more regard for God..Muslim Iman Izak-Elm Pasha: We witness he is one creator of all things in heaven and earth. We are Muslim American and stand with heavyweight .. we condemn them for their cowardly act.. We are members of one human family.. No single group will destroy us. We Muslim, Jewish, Christian believers will not be deterred.. Our America - unique in the world we will not change.. He read from the Qur'an..

The Choir of Harlem of Boys and Girls was extraordinarily good in singing several hymns.

Bette Midler inspired everyone allowing tears to flow freely when she sang "You are my hero.. the wind beneath my wings.. you are everything I wished to be! Looking to heaven she sang: "Thank you.." [Jesus]

A bell was made to ring named USN. Rev. Carolyn Holloway read Psalm 34. Episcopal Bishop of New York Mark Sisk said a prayer to the effect that we are all one human family.

Rev. James Forbes was the most. He read Matthew 5:1 - 16 and advised people whose light is on a lampstand, "let your light shine before others.."

Armenian Church in America's archbishop spoke.

Rev. Calvin Butte celebrated that the Statue of Liberty is still in tact. We stand in unity. Together we'll get through this. Madmen have assassinated four presidents.. the wall came down in Berlin.. God will fight my battles.. There will be an eternal flame burning at the WTC site.

Lutheran Dr. David Benke of the Missouri Synod spoke of the field of dreams.

Lee Greenwood sang: " The flag still stands for freedom.. I'm proud to be an American.."

In conclusion Oprah said, "lose a loved one, you gain an angel. What really matters who you love and how you love.

A Greek Orthodox Church bishop offered a prayer and a Hindu closed the 'Prayer of America.'

Satan was extremely successful in hitting a bulls eye which had a ripple effect. It caused a major financial loss in addition to what was already happening (many poor people lost their shirt already in the stock market), human loss ( the largest number dead (cremated) in one shot in American history) and put his New Age spiritual agenda in place by creating a desperate need for unity to create the machine for war to generate more blood sacrifices. World Power does not come cheap.

THE CALVARY CONTENDER VOL. XVIII NO. 18 Sept. 15, 2001 - Excerpt:
BAILEY NEW PRESIDENT OF DALLAS SEMINARY Dr. Mark L. Bailey is scheduled to be installed as the new president of Dallas Theological Seminary next month. DTS is the second largest trans-denominational seminary in the world and has over 10,000 alumni serving in all 50 states and in 98 nations (9-10/01 Moody). Featured inaugural (ecumenical) speakers include DTS chancellor Dr. Charles Swindoll and Moody Bible Institute president Dr. Joseph Stowell (DTS alumnus). Steve Green is set to perform.

FOUNDATION WARNS AGAINST HUNT, MORRIS 'COMPROMISE'-The July-August Foundation states: "It is disheartening to report that Henry Morris, founder of the Institute for Creation Research, and Dave Hunt, editor of the Berean Call, joined with Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith recently for a 'Wisdom of the Ages' Bible conference…" Noting the helpful warning ministries of Morris and Hunt for many years, the article said "this sad compromise lends credence to the Charismatic theology and ecumenical endeavors of the Calvary Chapel movement." Foundation said compromise occurred when these men joined in ministerial effort with Smith, "who espouses speaking in tongues and other revelatory gifts and feels comfortable in the Charismatic and New Evangelical camp." Hunt and Morris evince excellent discernment in most all other-than-separation areas.

Unity in Diversity Under the Guise that Jesus is Setting Up his Kingdom

A Baha'i Faith (Islamic origin) website revealed that LDS Joseph Smith Jr. prophesied the Second Coming of Jesus in 1890 / 1891. In its place the Islamic Faith: Baha'i's Faith which was founded in 1890 / 1891. According to
them Joseph Smith Jr. thought he was going to be alive at that time and prophesied that Jesus's Second Coming would take place in 1890. Instead an Islamic / Baha'i "Christian" Savior who has all the characteristics of Jesus Christ founded the Baha'i movement. Now they are calling all Christians, Mormons, all religions into their movement under the guise that Jesus is here setting up His kingdom. It is the "Unity in Diversity" movement that seems to have a similarity to Christianity that is hard to separate from the Biblical Christianity. A lot of Christians are going to run to them thinking that they will be able to solve our present problems. Qur'an [Koran] believing Islams are very faithful to their cause and they could be used as an intermediary to get the terrorism down.

Baha'i teaches that the Second Coming has already occurred, that a Jesuit Priest made up the Rapture theology. [The pressure against the Rapture is phenomenal.] Don't let anyone talk you out of our blessed hope. "Then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:17) "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thess. 5:1) The Apostle Paul who was appointed to teach the Gentiles stated the following: "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Thess.2:11-13) "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." (1 Thess. 5:9,10)

Baha'i represents another false Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth warned us about. The Baha'i' thrust is unity of all. They wish to convert Christians / Mormons / all believers to the Baihai' Faith. This website has a number of links about them.
Baiha'i Faith / Questions and Answers http://ldsbf.freeyellow.com/index.html

Mormon Prophecy fulfilled http://bci.org/prophecy-fulfilled

India and Britain are planning the Maitreya Project

National Geographic, 9/3/01 By the time it's completed in 2005, a statue now slated for construction in Bodh Gaya, India will be the tallest edifice in that country - and the tallest figure of Buddha on the planet. Artists and engineers in India and Britain are planning the Maitreya Project, a meditation park funded by Buddhist donors from all over the world. The centerpiece of the 40-acre park will be the 500 foot bronze-clad figure, so large that the Statue of Liberty
would just reach its arm. Designed according to traditional Buddhist ideals of statuary proportion and built to last a thousand years, the Buddha will sit on a 17-story building housing prayer halls, a museum and thousands of
art objects. http://www.maitreyaproject.org/index1.html Maitreya Project International

Ecumenical News Proves Church Involvement in Social Issues Including Environmentalism

WARC tells President Bush of concern over US policies Holland, Michigan (Ecumenical News International - ENI) 08 August 2001. A statement sent to United States President George W. Bush by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) has drawn support from leading members of US churches who have long worked on the issues it addresses, which range from the death penalty to greenhouse gases. The statement, sent to President Bush and key members of his cabinet by WARC's executive committee, which met in Holland, Michigan, from 26 July to 4 August, was strongly critical of a range of US policies.

Deal With Root Causes of Middle East Violence, Says Ecumenical Leader

Geneva (ENI)10 August 2001 . The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr Konrad Raiser, has described continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory as a "clear violation of international law". Speaking after a
major consultation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict organized by the WCC at its Geneva headquarters this week, Dr Raiser said that Israel was in a situation of "impunity" [ed note:state of being impure] where violations of international law were not being followed up by effective sanctions. Dr Raiser was interviewed before the news of the attack by a Palestinian suicide bomber on a Jerusalem restaurant and Israel's subsequent retaliation against Palestinian targets.

Leading French Lutheran pastor joins Roman Catholic Church

Paris (ENI). The former superintendent of the Paris district of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of France has announced that he has joined the Roman Catholic Church, and has made it clear that he wishes to be ordained a Catholic priest. He told the French daily, La Croix, that his decision followed the signing in 1999 of the joint declaration on justification
between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation, which aimed to put an end to mutual condemnations dating from the Reformation era. "For me that agreement represented a historic stepping stone.
From then on I could see no reason for maintaining the schism," he said.

Fundamental Christians Coined Extremists

Listening to reports as we work since the tragedy happened in New York and Washington DC. one comment was very disturbing to us as Bible believers. A Congressman no less, addressing extremists who were responsible for the suicide missions, stated that there are fundamental Christians who are extremists. Associating fundamental Christians with terrorists in a world-wide broadcast, was quite alarming.

Rev. Falwell and Pat Robertson both fell into that category and are being persecuted by Fox News' O'Reilly by comparing them to the Taliban Regime. The Tampa Tribune carried a nasty commentary as well.

From the Church of England Newspaper 3rd Aug 2001: Bible verses 'constitute hate'

Christian groups were reeling this week in Canada after a Human Rights Commission ruled that Bible verses constituted 'hate'.

The Bible is increasingly regarded as an insidious form of hate literature...

The ruling was in response to a complaint by three homosexuals after a Mr Hugh Owens, in Regina, Saskatoon, placed an advert in 1997 to coincide with Gay Pride Week. The advert quoted Biblical passages together with a 'stop' sign imposed over a mathematical equal sign and two stick-figure men holding hands.

Valerie Watson, of the board of inquiry commissioned by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, ordered Mr Owens to pay $1,500 to each of the three gay activists upset by the advert.

Ms Watson said that while the symbol itself may not have communicated hate, it was the Biblical verses that pushed the advertisement over the line. "Owens would have been safe had he nor made references to the Bible," says Professor Ian Hunter, of the Western Ontario Law School in his national newspaper column. "In human rights circles, the Bible is increasingly regarded as an insidious form of hate literature... Freedom of speech, press and religion all yield to a complainant's hurt feelings." [ Philip Foster, 24 Geldart St, Cambridge CB1 2LX 01223 363545 fX01223 512304
St Matthew Publishing Ltd 01223 504871 ]

Pope John Paul II encouraged Muslims and Christians to pray together in Kazakhstan. (CNN 9.23.2001)

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GLOBAL POLITICS

 

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Responses to Terrorism

 

Responses to Terrorism at the Nixon Center - C-SPAN 9.19. 2001 "Whatever it takes the Taliban is got to go," stated Robert McFarlane, former National Security Adviser of the Reagan Administration 1981-1985.

Question: "How can the Arab Israeli conflict be separated from Osama Bin Ladin.

Fquad Ajami (Muslim) John Hopkins University stated: "This has nothing to do with Israel. This is long term planning by Osama Bin Ladin.

"To think there is no linkage is fanciful," Geoffry Kemp.

Colin Powell, Secretary of State: "I don't know if it will have an effect on Taliban, the Okaida organization has been indicted for previous crimes and it should be easy to put a case against Osama Bin Ladin together. I can't tell you much about it yet don't know how long it will take.

Senator John McCain was asked if the Arabs would be included in the war. McCain did not say 'no', but that Afghanistan has to be first.

C-SPAN 9.23.2001 featured a Russian journalist. Andreis Sitov of Russia I Tar Tass (Russia) and an Egyptian journalist Thomas Gorgissian. Andreis said that everyone should hear the Pope's message of no military solution. To send ground troops would be ridiculous. We shouldn't play God.

The U.S. could pull out of Israel. Thomas (Egypt) does not agree with war approach either. U.S. bias attitude toward Israel in unfair approach toward Arabs. Some terrorists are Egyptians.

The Russian stated that Putin told his citizens that there will be no military involvement, only intelligence and technical assistance for the U.S.

Britain wants us to use our own armed forces. Germany had huge demonstrations, 200,000 people showed solidarity with the U.S. Schroeder said that the terrorists attack was on the whole civilized world. He regarded the attack an attack on Germany. It is hard to say how Germans feel. They are reluctant to deploy Germans, two thirds are against it. Germans will not have an alternative but to serve if it comes to that. (Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung - www.faz.com)

 

The Egyptian stated that a civilian airplane had become a weapon of mass destruction. The world sees President Bush as a dictator at this point because he stated: "either you are with us or against with the terrorists" that it is an unfair characterization."

 

Secretary of State Colin Powell was interviewed by the press said, that he wanted to keep nation's participation confidential.

 

A caller said that the right wing in the U.S. is in the same camp as the Nazis.

 

The pressure is on to let go of Israel in a meeting. A question was posed to take a fresh look at the Middle East? It was met with a resounding 'no'.

C-Span 9.19.2001 "Responses to terrorism are going to be relentless, resistant, ruthless. (L.Paul Bremer former US Ambassador at large for counter terrorism.)

Arafat wants to be involved in the fight against terrorism. (World Report 9.23.01)

 

Refugees Up To a Million Heading for Pakistan

Up to a million are wanting to come across to Pakistan from Afghanistan. 200,000 are there already. 20,000 tents are being prepared in the bumper zone between Afghanistan and Pakistan by humanitarian organizations for refugees and they will provide help for the refugees. They want to maintain control on who comes across the border. Some of the sanctions are being lifted against Pakistan. The Northern Alliance in Afghanistan stated that the U.S. wants to topple the the Taliban. The IMF will be helping with aid packages. (World Report 9.23.01)

President Bush stated that the world is ready now to attack terrorism which could lead to casualties Information about Bin Ladin's involvement is going to be proven and published.

Biochemical Warfare

Author of the book Scourge, Jonathan B. Tucker, described what a small pox attack would be like. There is a two week incubation period after which a high fever and the body breaks out in boils all over the body and inside the mouth and causes slow death because the patient cannot eat. When asked about the small pox vaccinations that we received as infants, if they are still effective, he said: "not likely, they are only good for 7 - 10 years." Smallpox vaccinations were stopped in 1972. The disease would be transmitted, speaking and coughing emits it into the air. "What about revaccinations?" asked a caller. The doctor stated that they only have 7.5 - 15 million doses in storage which is not sufficient. They is a contract for 40 million doses but it would not be fulfilled until 2004. When asked about water contamination, he was more encouraging. He said because the drinking water is controlled by constant checking and any substance would be too diluted to be effective and the antigens in the water would most likely take care of the problem. (C-Span 9.23.01)

Subject: One World, One Currency

IMF August 31, 2001 Comment from an email sender: "Interesting. Don't know if you have already seen this from the IMF. This comes on top of the announcement of the new Euro currency this week. Naturally the only way to bring "convergence" of all the world's economies in order to make a world currency viable would be the new-age plan for "redistribution of wealth". ie, developed countries have to give their profits to dictatorships and communist states that squander it on military hardware and palaces for their leadership!"

ECONOMIC FORUMS AND INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS

One World, One Currency: Destination or Delusion?

Wednesday, November 8, 2000, International Monetary Fund IMF Auditorium, Red Level, (R-710) 700 19th Street, N.W.

As perceptions grow that the world is gradually segmenting into a few regional currency blocs, the logical extension of such a trend also emerges as a theoretical possibility: a single world currency. If so many countries see benefits from currency integration, would a world currency not maximize these benefits?

The dollar bloc, already underpinned by the strength of the U.S. economy, has been extended further by dollarization and regional free trade pacts. The euro bloc represents an economic union that is intended to become a full political
union likely to expand into Central and Eastern Europe. A yen bloc may emerge from current proposals for Asian monetary cooperation. A currency union may emerge among Mercosur members in Latin America, a geographical currency zone already exists around the South African Rand, and a merger of the Australian and New Zealand dollars is a perennial topic in Oceania. Arguments can persuasively be made on both sides of the issue:

The same commercial efficiencies, economies of scale, and physical imperatives that drive regional currencies together also presumably exist on the next level the global scale. Why not maximize the benefits for all through a single currency for the ultimate geographical unit the world?

The smaller and more vulnerable economies of the world those that the international community is now trying hardest to help would have most to gain from the certainty and stability that would accompany a single world currency. Or, conversely: The travails of the Euro since its introduction last year are a stark reminder of the dangers of corralling different and divergent economies into a single currency, however advanced they may be. True single-currency candidates require international replication that is not found among real, functioning, market economies.

Under a single regional currency, normal cyclical movements in a country's macroeconomic indicators suddenly become threats to regional stability that must be muffled or suppressed, irrespective of their self-correcting impetus or the economic signals they are transmitting.

These and other issues will be addressed by three panelists at this forum:

Robert Mundell, Professor of Economics at Columbia University in New York, is known as the father of the theory of optimum currency areas. He has written extensively on the history of the international monetary system and played a
significant role in the founding of the Euro. He won the 1999 Nobel Prize for Economics.

Maurice Obstfeld, Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, has interests in international finance and economics and has served as a consultant for the IMF, the World Bank, the European Commission, and
several central banks.

Paul Masson, senior advisor, IMF Research Department, has modeled the credibility of monetary policy, studied aspects of European integration, and written on exchange rate regimes and, most recently, on a project for a West
African currency area.

The forum will be moderated by Alexander Swoboda, senior policy advisor at the IMF Research Department, whose brief includes work on the new architecture of the international monetary and financial system and on exchange rate regimes. View the transcript. http://www.imf.org/external/np/tr/2000/tr001108.htm

Politics Behind Mask of Religion

... Over two years as a MacArthur fellow, studying Islamic perceptions of the West, Gerges found a teeming, anti-American political movement disguised, in part, as a religious revival. Radical Islam, he found, cannot forgive American foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel, and blames America for propping up secular, authoritarian Arab governments.

"The political dimension is much, much more important than the religious dimension," he said. "For many of these movements, religion is used as a mask for their political agenda. The goal is to capture power and control states."

Gerges said Arab nations are still reeling from numerous social upheavals that followed the end of colonialism...

"The untangling of religion and politics has not taken place in the Middle East," Gerges said. "People think Islam is not only a religious doctrine but an all-encompassing ideology. Moving toward modernity, liberalism and constitutional governments is a painful, long-term process, and the Middle East has not been able to move away from dictatorships and an overall sense of alienation."

U.S. support for Israel crystallizes what is seen as America's double standard for the Middle East and its animosity toward Islam, he said... I cannot tell you how critical the Israeli-Palestinian issue is with Arabs and Muslims," Gerges said. "It is the most critical, poisonous issue. Many Muslims believe the U.S. has final say on whether peace is reached. [ The Journal News, Gary Ster, 9.23.2001 ]

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ISRAEL

 

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Bombs And US Marines in Jerusalem 3 Days Before the Bombing of the WTC In NY

TZEMACH NEWS SERVICE September 8, 2001 - BOMBS AND US MARINES IN JERUSALEM: A suicide bomber disguised as an ultra-orthodox Jew blew himself up Tuesday morning in downtown Jerusalem, injuring 13 people. The bombing attack was the fifth in two days in the Jerusalem area; the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [PFLP] exploded four bombs within one half-hour on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Sunday and Monday, lightly wounding four people. Shin Bet security officials and the police recently arrested a terrorist cell operating in eastern Jerusalem comprised of six Palestinian members of the terrorist wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Ram'Allah. According to the police, the six admitted to carrying out terror attacks in Jerusalem, including hiding an explosive device in a watermelon which was placed on a Jerusalem bus. Security officials said that the cell had planned to carry out an additional 12 attacks in Jerusalem, including placing explosive devices in vehicles near restaurants, in movie theaters, public gardens, schools and preschools. Within an hour of the bombings on Monday, US Marines were sent to guard two foreign schools, the Anglican and the French Schools, on Hanevi'im (Prophets) Street in central Jerusalem. The American troops were in position Monday morning without uniform but armed Many children of American citizens, including diplomats, attend the two schools. The alarming inference is that Jerusalem's children are not safe unless protected by US Marines. Where were the leaders of Israel as the US silently moved its troops into place as bombs exploded in the capital? Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who promised Israeli voters security only eight months ago, took off for Moscow Monday evening; His deputy foreign minister, Shimon Peres, was busy extinguishing the fires lit in Durban.. Israeli helicopters fired missiles into offices of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Fatah party in Ram'Allah on Saturday, casting further doubt on a meeting between the Palestinian leader and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres... :: WAQF DESTRUCTION HALTED ... FOR NOW: Waqf officials [the Muslim authority on the Temple mount] who were doing unsupervised construction work on the southern wall of the Temple Mount earlier this week were evicted by police. The unprecedented work on Monday followed reports that sections of the wall were in danger of collapse, ... Pictures of the damage can be seen at: http://www.har-habayt.org/blg.html ............................ :: BUSH TO MEET WITH ARAFAT WITH CONDITIONS: The administration of US President George W. Bush decided after deliberations at the White House on Friday that Bush will meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at a UN assembly meeting in New York at the end of September. Bush has not yet personally met with Arafat since taking office in January. .. Sharon said in an interview in Saturday's NEW YORK TIMES that he is skeptical a Peres-Arafat meeting would be successful. Peres now has a "full mandate" to hold cease-fire talks in order to "move forward with the implementation of the Tenet and Mitchell plans," a senior diplomatic source said. ............................ Neither President Bush nor Colin Powell went to the UN World Conference :: DURBIN CONFERENCE CONCLUDES: The UN World Conference on Racism concluded Saturday by adopting a declaration that did not specifically criticize Israel, but which recognized the "plight" of the Palestinians and the injustice of slavery and colonialism, after nine days of contentious debate that repeatedly threatened to unravel the gathering. Compromises on both issues were reached only Saturday morning, one day after the conference had been scheduled to end. The deal reached on the Middle East was based on a South African compromise accepted Thursday by the European Union, but initially rejected by Arab states. The compromise recognized the Holocaust and condemned anti-Semitism and "Islamophobia." But it did not specifically criticize Israel or mention Zionism. Nor were the eight foreign aid workers on trial in Afghanistan for allegedly preaching Christianity ever mentioned. According to the Taliban Chief Justice Mawlawi Noor Mohammad Saqib, if found guilty, the eight could be hanged. The Taliban Supreme Court began the trial behind closed doors on Tuesday despite earlier promises from Taliban ministers that diplomats and journalists would be allowed to observe the proceedings. American, Australian and German diplomats arrived at the Supreme Court building in Kabul yesterday in a bid to meet Mr Saqib and clarify the legal process, but they were turned away. ............................ :: ARAFAT BRANCHING OUT? According to a DEBKAfile report, Arafat has made initial overtures to extremist elements in the international anti-globalist movement. He is checking out their organizational infrastructure to find usable launching pads for Palestinian-sponsored terrorist operations against American, Jewish and Israeli targets in the United States, Canada and Europe, reviving memories of former Palestinian infiltrations of protest movements in the sixties and seventies. The DEBKAfile believes the Palestinian approach was made to factions of the Black Bloc anarchists, who last month turned the international demonstration outside the Group of Eight summit in Genoa into a rampage. An advance group already in Israel is being presented as unofficial peace watchers. But the international terrorists, here as tourists, are already showing up at Palestinian-Israeli pressure points. Last month, they spearheaded the clash between a small demonstration outside Orient House and the Jerusalem police, using disruptive techniques seen at protests in Seattle, Quebec City and Genoa. Some marched at the funeral of PFLP chief Abu Ali Mustafa last Tuesday. Next day, they dismantled Israeli army roadblocks and broke into Palestinian Beit Jallah after the Israeli incursion. A senior US administration official said Wednesday that despite urgent US pleas, Russian companies are continuing to provide Iran with technology for weapons of mass destruction. The technology could help Iran in its programs to develop chemical, biological and especially nuclear weapons, the official said. Next Sunday admiral Ali Shamhani, the minister of defense of Iran, is going to visit Russia. During this visit a much-anticipated military cooperation agreement is going to be signed. In the next five years, Iran could become the third most active buyer of Russian armaments in the world after China and India. Mikhail Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Defense Ministry's Committee for Military and Technical Cooperation, said Moscow has offered Iran MiG-29 fighter-jets, Su-24 bombers, Kilo-class submarines and the S-200 anti-aircraft system. "Even the Americans through privately-owned firms are selling the missile cryogenic engines to Teheran," Dmitriev said. In a related story, the European Union is said to have entered the competition to win the lucrative Iranian military contracts. France has offered Iran Mirage jets and Germany has promoted its tanks and submarines. Other countries in the competition are cited China, Pakistan, North Korea and South Korea. Syria has upgraded hundreds of aging tanks as part of a slow but steady modernization of its ground forces. So far, Lebanese opposition sources said, Syria has modernized 300 T-54 and T-55 tanks. The effort began in 1997 and comprises contractors from Russia and the Ukraine. Syria has about 2,200 tanks. The Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies said about half of them are still in service. Some of these tanks have been in Syria since 1957. Russian defense sources said Damascus seeks to bolster its air fleet as well. They said Russia has offered to sell Damascus new fighter-jets. [Sources: Jerusalem Post, Arutz-7, Ha'aretz, AP, IMRA, iAbolish] The following article has been removed from the New York Times since the attack. Censored Media September 9, 2001 New York Times On Videotape, Bin Laden Charts a Violent Future. In a series of verses, read at the wedding of his oldest son earlier this year, Osama bin Laden declares his purpose killing Americans and Jews. [Source was: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/09/international/asia/09OSAM.html?todaysheadlines ]